Vienna, 16 October 2025 — The OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference (WHDC), held from 6 to 17 October, convened representatives from 57 participating States, civil society, and media experts to assess the state of human rights and democratic commitments across the region. A central theme was the protection of journalists and the integrity of information in an era of mounting disinformation.
At the 8 October session on “Freedom of Expression, Freedom of the Media and Safety of Journalists”, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) Jan Braathu urged governments to close the gap between promises and practice under Ministerial Council Decision 3/18 on the Safety of Journalists.
“Independent, critical, public interest journalism cannot exist if journalists fear retaliation for their work,” Braathu stressed. He described the decision as a “call to action”, requiring states to reform national laws, train law enforcement, and ensure accountability to end impunity for crimes against journalists.
Side Events and Key Issues
The Office of the RFoM organized five side events in cooperation with participating States, focusing on:
- Attacks against women journalists
- Disinformation and information integrity
- Support for journalists in exile
- Media–police relations
- Accountability mechanisms for press freedom violations
Braathu also held bilateral meetings with state representatives, journalists, and civil society groups, many of whom reported ongoing legal and physical harassment linked to their professional activities.
Broader Context
The WHDC, organized under the Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship with support from the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), remains the largest annual OSCE gathering on human rights. This year’s conference carried added weight as the organization marked the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, underscoring the enduring link between human rights, media freedom, and regional security.
Outlook
The RFoM continues to monitor media developments across all 57 OSCE states, providing early warning on violations of freedom of expression and promoting compliance with OSCE commitments. The Warsaw discussions reinforced that protecting journalists and ensuring information integrity are not optional principles but essential pillars of democratic security.
In summary, the 2025 WHDC underscored that safeguarding media freedom requires urgent, practical measures—transforming commitments into protections that ensure journalists can work without fear.
Sources: OSCE official releases Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe medelnet.eu Public.
